Combined radial and thrust bearing unit



G. FAST Dec. 22, 1942.

v COMBINED RADIAL AND THRUST BEARING UNIT 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 17, 1939 ONOE INVENTOR 60574 V5 17487 E N R O T T A Dec. 22, 1942. ca. FAST COMBINED RADIAL AND THRUST BEARING UNIT Filed Nov. 17, 1939 l2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W x 6 m 3 N mmo j; f Mn, 5 r Am E 3 NGE mm 5 5 m$ Tll INVENTOR 67/674442 FAST ATTORNEY Dec. 22, 1942 G. FAST 2,306,048

COMBINED RADIAL AND THRUST BEARING UNIT Filed Nov. 17, 1959 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR 606774l/5 5457' ATTORNEY Dec. 22, 1942. G. FAST 2,306,048

COMBINED RADIAL AND THRUST BEARING UNIT 'Filed Nov. 17, 1939 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR 6W6??? V6 FAST ATTORNEY Dec. 22, 1942. e. FAST 2,306,048

COMBINED RADIAL AND THRUST BEARING UNIT Filed Nov. 17, 1939 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG] ea 94 s4 93 ,91 3 .93 95 INVENTOR a'usrm/ff/lsf ya ATTO RN EY Dec. 22, 1942. .7 F 2,306,048

COMBINED RADIAL AND THRUST BEARING UNIT Filed Nov. 17, 1959 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Frau.

v 100 INVENTOR Dec.22,1-942. G. 'FAs T 1 2,306,048

COMBINED RADIAL AND THRUST BEARING UNIT Filed Nov. 17, 1959 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEY I Dec. 22, 194;

G. FAST COMBINED RADIAL AND THRUST BEARING UNIT Filed Nov. 17, 1939 12 SheetsSheet 8 F IGAZ 47 INVENTOR 64 60.9mm FAST ATTORNEY Dec. 22, 1942.

G. FAST COMBINED RADIAL AND THRUST BEARING UNIT Filed Nov. 17, 1939 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 NORMAL LEVEL INVENTOR GUST/IVE 97 ATTORNEY Dec. 22, 1942. F 2,306,048

' COMBINED RADIAL AND THRUST BEARING UNIT v Filed Nov. 1'7, 1939 12 SheetsSheet 10 mm k 1 i E 123 I 135 1 o M/Mm/M r o/1. LEVEL M J! 129 129 125- I I I n INVENTOR GZ/SMVE FAST BY I W I ATTORNEY Dec. 22, 1942. cs. FAST 2,306,048

COMBINED RADIAL AND THRUST BEARING UNIT Filed Nov. yr, 1959 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 INVENTOR GUST/WE FAST Dec. 22, 1942. G. FAST COMBINED RADIAL AND THRUST BEARING UNIT Filed Nov. 17, 1959 12 Sheets-Sheet l2 :55: m m y INVENTOR GUST/WE FAST ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 22, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE Gustave Fast, Annapolis, Md, assignor to The Fast Bearing Company,- poration of Maryland Application November 11,1939, Serial No. 304,916

36 Claims.

This invention relates'to bearings and more particularly to plain bearings of the type in which the relatively rotating members have relatively sliding surfaces so constructed and arranged that multiple, wedge-shaped lubricant films are formedbetween such surfaces to enable the carrying of high, specific pressures, to provide low friction losses, and to substantially eliminate wear.

An object of the invention has been to pro- 1 duce a simple and compact bearing unit of the character mentioned, in which effective provision is made for the reception of both radial and thrust loads. Toward this end the invention contemplates the employment of separate but inter-related devices, each designed especially to receive most effectively the particular type of load to which it is subjected. Thus, improved means, of simple, durable and in nsive character, are provided for dealing most efflciently with radial loads, and other means of similar character are provided for dealing most efllciently with thrust loads. These separate means and the enclosing housing are so arranged and inter-related as to insure an adequate supply of lubricant to all of the relatively sliding surfaces and the rapid creation of the desired wedgeshaped films between these surfaces. The construction is such, furthermore,- as to enable speedy assembly and disassembly of the parts.

A feature of the invention is the construction of the entire unit, including the housing, of comparatively few parts, each of simple form capable of large-scale and economical production. The radial bearing means comprises but three parts, including a hub mounted on the journal and a sleeve carried by the housing. In fact the hub might, if desired, be formed as an integral part of the shaft and the outer sleeve might be an integral part of the housing so that only one separate piece is required for the radial hear-- ing. All of the three elements of the'bearing are of simple configuration and readily assembled. They are preferably so formed as to provide a universal action, thus permitting the axes of the shaft and housing to tilt with respect to each other without disturbing the efllciency of the bearing. The full and direct resistance to thrusts requires but one additional member for.

each direction in which the thrusts are transmitted.- These thrust-receiving members and the housing are likewise readily adapted to permit relative angling between the shaft and housing Another feature of the invention is the pro- 66 Annapolis, M1, a corvision for adequate lubrication without, however, inducing excessive circulation of the oil, which would cause an unnecessary 1 energy loss and would also tend to whip the oil into a foam, which is ineffective for lubrication purposes. In this connection, moreover, the construction is such that the rotating members of the unit are provided with smooth, unbroken surfaces which will not present shoulders or other abrupt formations having a tendency to splash and whip the oil. l l The improved unit is compact and of such dimensions as to enable it to readily replace standard existing types of bearings. The radial hearing features, for example, may be readily given the same standardized dimensions as ball and roller bearings prescribed for given loads and installations.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear from the illustrative examples of the same, which will now be given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 1

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through the bearing unit, partly vertical and partly at an angle to the vertical, taken along the line ll of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a transverse,'vertical section through the unit along the line 2-2 of Fig.- 1.

Fig. 3 is atop plan view of the'unit, portions of the housing being broken away to disclose the interior construction which is partially indicated in section.

4 is a face view of'a thrust bearing member embodied in the unit, portions of the mem-'- her. being broken away to illustrate its construction more clearly and a portion of the housing being shown in association with the member to indicate its mode of assembly.

Fig. 5 is a section through the thrust bearing member taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section through the thrust bearing member, taken along the line 8-4 of Fig. 4.

Fig. I isa view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating a modified form of thrust bearing member.

Fig. 8 is a section through the modified form of member, taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section through the member, taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

Fig, 10 is a view similar to Fig. 4 of a further form of thrust bearing member.

Fig. 11 is a section along the line llli of Fig. 10.

Fig. is a transverse, central. vertical section through another form of radial bearing.

Fig. 16 is a similar, transverse, central, vertical section through a radial bearing, illustrating a further modification.

Figs. 17, 18 and 19 are enlarged details in section through the bearing of Fig. 16, taken, re-

spectively, along the lines I1i1,

"-18 and ll-ll of Fig- 16.

Fig. 20 is a plan view of a portion or the shaft 7 illustrating the mounting thereon of a journal hub, which is partly broken away. I

Fig. 211s a fragmentary view, in elevation, of a portion of the housing as viewed from one side. Fig. 22 is a face view of a modified form of thrust bearing member showing another arrangement for distributing the lubricant.

Fig. 23 is a partial section I taken axially through a bearing utilizing the thrust member of Fig. 22, along the line 22-23 of Fig. 22. Fig. 24 is a sectionthrough'a portion of the thrust member of Fig. 22, taken along the curved line 24-24 of Fig. 22. i

Fig. 25 is a face view of a further modified form of thrust member constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 26 is a partial, axial, sectional view through a portion of a bearing embodying the thrust member of Fig. 25, taken along the line re -2s of Fig. 25.

Fig. 27 is a detail view in section through a portion of the thrust member of Fig. 25,-taken along the curved line 21-21 of Fig. 25. N

Fig. 28 is a face view of a still further modified form of thrust member embodying certain im proved lubrication features. 7 I

Fig. 29 is a fragmentary section through a portion of a bearing unit embodying the thrust member of Fig. 28, taken along the line 29-29 of P18. 28. v

30 is a detail in section alongthei n ne 34-44 of Fig. 28, and I T 7;]

Figs. 31 to 34, inclusive/are diagrammatic views illustrating the force conditions involved between the thrust member and housing in .different constructions. g i

Referring now to the drawings, the invention has been illustrated in Figs. land 2 as applied to a bearing for a shaft il'fwhich extends through a housing ll, adapted to be supported, in any suitable way, by a foundation or. by an appropriate supporting structureforming part of the apparatus with which the bearing is associated. The housing is preferably formed in three sections and is so constructed as toprovide an oil reservoir at its bottom of maximumgcapacity. At its top the housing is preferably provided with a number of projections or ribs adapted to readily dissipate heat. The central section is formed in two parts, i. e., a cap-i2 and a base II, which are secured together by means of studs [4 having screw-threaded engagement with the base and having a nut and lock washer to retain the cap. Dowel pins I! (Fig. 3) may be provided, if desired, to insure the correct alinement of the two parts. At each side or end of the central section there is provided an end bell l6, each bell being a complete annular member which sub-- .by the parts l2 and II. The several sections and 1 parts of the housing are so constructed and assembled as to provide a tight fit, preventing the leakage of oil from the interior of the housing.

v Any suitable means, such as the screws l9 shown in Fig. 1, may be provided for securing the end bells. to the central section of the housing.

' Suitable means are employed at the ends of the housing for preventing the escape of thelubricant along the shaft. For this purpose the, end bells may be formed with inward extensions 20 having grooves 2| adapted to receive any oil which attempts to escape along the shaft and is thrown'from the latter as it revolves. This 011 is returned to the reservoir in the housing by means of a passage 22 communicating with the bottoms of the grooves: In a recess in the outer face ,of each of the members Itthere is provided suitable packing or sealing material 23, such as felt, adapted to keep outfldust and also assist in retaining the lubricant. The sealing material 23 is retained in the recess by means of a plate 24 secured to the end bell in anyconvenient way, as by means of screws 25. The plate 24 is preferably provided with a pairof annular'projectlons; 26 and 21 extending axially of the shaft. Thesev projections are received by corresponding recesses 28 and 29 formed inthe face of a disc 30 secured to the shaft and adapted to rotate withthe latter. Any dust seeking to enter the housingm'ust thus traverse an intricate labyrinth before reaching the sealing material 23. The danger of the entry of the dust into the housing isthereby reduced to a minimum. 'It will be noted that a slight clearance is provided between the various surfaces on the housing, or on members secured tothe housing, and the shaft, or members seecured to the latter; This is, of course, with the exception of the packing 23, which is in intimate contactwith both the shaft and theend bells of the housing but is capable of yielding whenever necessary. Provision is thus made for slight angling movements of the shaft with respect to the housing to permit and take care of slight misalinement of the axes of the shaft and housing. At the same time effective provision is made at all times .against the escape of the lubricant along the shaft and the ingress of dust.

The lubricant may be introduced into the housing through an inlet 3| provided at the top of one of the end bells I8 and the level of the lubricant within the housing may be constantly noted through transparent plugs 22 inserted in the front and rear walls of the end bells. These transparent plugs may be retained in any suitabl way, as

I by means of an appropriate cement or adhesive.

The plugs and the openingsin which they are received may be splined, if desired, to predetermine V a definite relation. A horizontal'groove or notch 33 extending across the face of the transparent plug may serve to indicate either the mean working level of the lubricant within the housing or the minimum level which may be safely employed.

As willbe later explained, the level of the lubriof hardened and tempered steel and having a strictly cylindrical, outer face 38 and substantially smooth,flat end faces Y31 and: 38. These bearing surfaces of the journal hub arepreferably ground. The journal "hub may be retained on the shaft in any suitable way but is preferably shrunk or pressed on. The friction between the hub and shaft will be great enough to insure their several portions of the sleeve to be readily flexed with respect to each other. As shown in Fig. 2, these weakened sections may be formed by a series of plane sin'faces I1 angled inwardly from the outer spherical face of the sleeve toward the points to be weakened, Such plane surfaces may readily be machined in the outer face of the sleeve and serve admirably for th intended purpose. If the material of which the sleeve is formed and its dimensions are such that less weakening is required to permit it to flex in the desired manner, the outer surface of the sleeve between the weakened section 44 which may be peened or staked inwardly at spaced points, such as indicated at 45 in Fig. 20, into slightdepressions 46 provided in the face of the journal hub. This serves to lock the hub and clamping ring against relative rotation. If desired, the hub might be formed integral with the shaft itself.

Surrounding the journal hub, and spaced some distance therefrom, there is Provided an cuter bearing sleeve 41, whose outer periphery is prefprojecting portions 52 may be simply formed as a series of flat faces 68. as shown in Fig. 15. The outer surface of the sleeve will then,.in crosssection, .be substantially a-regular polygon, such as an octagon or hexagon, with well rounded corners. As another alternative, the desired weakening may be produced by a series of scallops or cutsof arcuate formation, as indicated at 59 in Fig. 13. This is a simple and expeditious way of dividing thesleeve into a series of segments having weakened, flexible ends.

To the inner face of the member ii there is preferably applied an anti-friction lining or coating '0 formed of Babbitt metal or ahigh-lead bronze or the like. The inner surface of this erably cylindrical and adapted to provide a close fit with the inner cylindrical surface l8 of the central section of the housing. Any appropriate means may be provided for preventing rotation of the ring 41 with respect to the housing and for determining its location axially of th housing. Such means may, for example, be in the form of a plug 48 having a screw-threaded portion secured in a screw-threaded opening in the ring 41 and having its enlarged head adapted to fit in a recess 49 in the top of the portion H of the bearing housing. If desired, simple friction might be relied upon to retain the sleeve in the housing or a flattened surface on the sleeve might cooperate with a similar flattened surface in the housing to prevent relative turning. v The inner surface 50 of the sleeve is preferably of spherical form, although it may, if desired, be either cylindrical or conical. As will be explained, the advantage of the spherical form isthat it provides a desired universal action which enables the bearing to function properly even though the shaft and. housing may be somewhat out of alinement.

Between the journal hub 35 and the outer bearing sleev 41 there is mounted an irmer bearing member or sleeve 5| formed preferably of steel. The outer periphery of this member is ofsuch form as to provide a series of high or protruding portions 52, the outer surfaces 53 of which are portions of a sphere. These surfaces 53 are adapted to fit. snugly within the spherical surface 50 of the outer bearing sleeve. The outer and inner sleeves are not intended to partake of any substantial, relative rotation but the spherical form of the surfaces 50 and 53allows for an apprcpriate, universal action between the two sleeves. A downward extension 54 of the screw plug 48 may cooperate with a recess 55 in one of the projections 52 to limit the relative movement between the two sleeves and to insure the'appropriate positioning of the inner sleeve-with relation to the top and bottom of the bearing. Intermediate the projecting portions 52 of the sleeve 8| the outer surface of the sleeve is cut away in any suitable manner to provide weakened sections 55, serving to divide the sleeve into a series Babbitt lining is normally substantially cylindrical and of only slightly greater diameter than the outer diameter of the journal hub 35 so as to provide a good sliding flt with respect to the latter. At the weakened points 56 the inner face of the lining is provided with transversely extending grooves 6|. These grooves, however, preferably do not extend completely across the lining but terminate slightly inwardly of the edges-as shown in Fig. 18, thus providing portions 52 which serve to close ofl the ends of the grocves.- But this does not apply to the two lowermost grooves of Fig. 2. These grooves, which are below the level ofthe oil, extend completely across the member 5i (see Figs. 1 and 17) so as to allow the free entry of the lubricant. The two lowermost grooves are also in communication with the main supply of lubricant through a series of openings 63 extending through the Bab- 1 bitt lining and through 'the weakened portion of the member II itself. The lubricant taken in through the ends of the lowermost grooves II and throughthe openings 63 communicating with these grooves is quickly delivered around .the entire bearing throughannular grooves 64 Babbitt lining. These annular grooves communicate with the entire seriesaoftransverse grooves 8| and thereby insure an adequate supply of the lubricant to. all of the points where it isre quired. v I

In the operation of the shaft, as the journal hub 35 is rotated within the Babbitt lining of the member 5|, a viscous pump action is created which will cause an ample flow of lubricant and will quickly cause a series of oil films to be developed between the journal hub and lining. In forming theseoil films the end 66 of one of the sections of the sleeve 5! (Fig. 2) will be flexed outwardly. This is under the assumption that of separate segments or shoes and enabling them the shaft is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 2). The outward flexing of the por tion 66 will cause the main part of the related section of the member I to be tilted to a slight.

extent. This will produce a desired wedge-shaped pocket between the section and the journal hub for the formation of a wedge-shaped film. It

will be understood that the flexibility of the member II at the weakenedsections is such that the.-

leading portion it of a section of the sleeve will be permitted to bend outwardly to a slight extent to form a convergent space while the opposite end, beyond the point 61 which may be considered the virtual fulcrum of the tilting action of the section, forms a divergent space. .At

the mouth of each of the divergent spaces, i. e.,

at the thinnest points of the sleeve, a, vacuum or negative pressure is created whichserves to suck in the lubricant at these points and insures an adequate supply to form the load-sustaining films in the convergent spaces provided by the succeeding section .of the sleeve. The openings 83 in the bottom portionpf'the' sleeveshould always be immersed in the body of lubricant in the housing so as to draw the oil from this body. The negative pressure created at the other thin points around the sleeve will simply draw the member 5i. This will serve to increase the pres-- sure of the oil in the grooves.

Due to the form of the member 5|, particularly when it is provided with an even number of proiecting portions 52, it may be readily asbearing surfaces from the lowest possible point.

The end bells I. of the housing are each provided withan annular, inward projection 1| adapted to receive the thrusts of the journal hub 35. Each of these annular projections is formed with a spherical seat I: adapted to cooperate with a corresponding spherical surface II on a thrustbearingmemberll. These spherical seats and 'surfaces'ha've their centers of curvature along the axis of the housing but not necessarily at the-centerof the journal hub. The best condition for the self-alining action is obtained when the surfaces I2 and II are disposed at about 45' to the axis of the housing,'but, as will be later explained, it is sometimes preferable to sacrifice Moreover, it assists in sealing or retarding the side sembled with the outerring 41 without modify ing the cooperating suriaces'of these members. If the member BI is tumed to the position indicated in Fig. 14, it may be passed through the outer sleeve 41. The smallest diameter of the sleeve ll, atthe corners B8 and 69,-is just sufli cient to permit the inner sleeve to be passed through when it is held in' the position indicated in Fig. 14. The cut-out portions between the adjacent surfaces 53 bring this about.

'In lieu of retaining the member 5| in the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, in which one of the projections 52 is directed vertically down- 'ward\and another is directed vertically upward,

the member; may be turned, as shown in Fig. 16, to a position in which one of the weakened sections is located immediately beneath the axis of leakage from the films formed between the sleeve GI and the outer circumference of the Journal hub.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the members 14, which are interchangeable, i. e., are identical for the two sides of the journal hub, comprise a base ring I8, which carries the spherical surface 13, and an annular, fiexible. portion 11 in the nature of a plurality of interconnecting shoe segments connected with the base by means of integral, flexible necks II. The thrust members may be formed of steel or the like with a lining or coating of Babbitt or similar good bearing material 'on the bearing surface thereof, or they may be formed entirelyof a resilient material, such as bronze, having good, bearing qualities in itself. If the steel and Babbitt metal construction is used, the face of the steel base of the portion 'll, which lies opposite the surface II on the journal hub, is of undulatory form, or provided with aseries of crests and depressions, as best indicated in Figs. 5 and 6. This is necessary in order to give the member the desired flexibility and, at the same time, the required strength to support the load. A series of high portions '19 are provided at spaced points directly over the necks 18. These high portions, as shown in Fig. ,4, are preferably in the form of fiat, triangular surfaces. From these triangular surfaces sloping plane surfaces are preferably provided, these intersecting at the bottom of a series of troughs formed midway between the the journal hub and another of such weakened cap I! of the central section of the housing. When the member II is so positioned, the holes 63 should be provided throughonly that weakened section of the member 5| which is directly beneath the axis of the journal hub. Adequate lubrication will be supplied to the bearing through this slngle series of openings and the associated grooves 84 and ii. An advantage of this construction necks 1|. Dueto the thinness of the metal at the bottom of these troughs, the-P rtion ll of the thrust member is relatively weak at these points and subject to rather easy fiexure. How- 'ever, to increase the flexibility of the sections,

radial notches ID are provided, these extending about two-thirds of the way across the portion 11 from its inner periphery at the base of each of the troughs, thus leaving only a relatively small neck 81 of the steel or similar base metal to connect the several sections of the ring.

Over the outer surface and edges of the basematerial of the portion II, a lining or layer of Babbitt 82 isprovided. The surface of this liningwhich cooperates with the surface I; of the is that it servesto supply the lubricant to the journal hub is substantially fiat, as indicated by the portion 83 in Fig. 6, but is provided toward of each member to its end bell is maintained at its inner periphery with a series of spaced depresall times. This is particularly important when sions 84. These are disposed over the slots 80 the thrust shifts from one side to the other. The 1 in the base material, the Babbitt metal extendrelief of the thrust force on one end of the unit ing into these slots as indicated at 85 in Fig. 6. 5 will not cause a dislocation of. the related thrust In the lower part of the portion 11 there is promember which, if permitted, might cause a bindvided, in lieu of the depressions 84, a pair of ing of the parts. depressions 86 in the Babbitt lining which are Referring now to Figs. '7, 8 and 9, there is directed radially outward to the outer periphery shown a modification of the thrust bearing memof the portion 11. If the associated radial bear- 10 ber. In lieu offorming the memberwith a steel ing sleeve 5i is arranged as indicated in Fig. 2, as d a Babbitt? lining for t e bearing and is divided into the same number of sections it m y be formed comp y of material v n a as the member 14, the depressions 86 will be in desired resilience and at the same time having line with and communicate with the two lowergood bearing qualities. Thus, it may be formed most grooves H which extend completely across completely of bronze. Inthls casethe bearing the Babbitt lining of the member 5|. member may have a base portion 90 similar to The lubricant is supplied to this thrust bearing the portion 16 of the member first described and as follows: If the lubricant is at a level above may have a thrust bearingportion 9| Joined by the bottom of .the inner periphery of the thrust a plurality of integral necks 92 with the base member, it is thrown by centrifugal forcefrom ring. The portion 9| may be provided with a the side of the journal hub into the radial grooves series of'radial slots 93 extending from the in- 84. However, if the oil level drops below the inner periphery about two-thirds of the distance ner periphery of the thrust member, the lubricant across the portion 9|. At the same time a series in the passages formed by the depressions 86 is y of depressions 94 may be provided in association picked up by the thrust faces 38 of the rotating with the slots, except the-two lowermost, so as journal hub and spread over the entire surface to provide passages for the ready access of the of the thrust bearing member by a viscous pump lubricant, delivered through centrifugal action, action. It will be understood that as the journal to the main surfaces 95 which are in bearing enhub rotates, oil is forced between the surfaces 38 gagement with the sides of the, journal hub. and 83 from the depressions and 86 and this In line with the two lowermost slots 93, depresoil will cause the several sections of the portion sions 96 are provided which extend toward the l! of the thrust member, between the slots 80, outer, rather than the inner, periphery of the to flex and tilt and produce the desired wedge member. These, as in the first embodiment, alangles. The formation of the wedge-shaped low for the picking up of the lubricant by the pockets results from the wedging action of the 33 journal hub upon the. creation of a suitable, neglubricant which bends or flexes the weakened ative pressure. Plates 91, similar to the plates ends of the several sections and the flexible necks 81, may be provided for retainingthe modified 18. Due to the arrangement of the slots 80, the bearing member in place." In the operation of sections will bend somewhat more readily adjathe thrust bearing, this member will function in cent their inner peripheries than at their outer the same manner as the member 14 and differs extremities, thus forming a wedge-shaped space from the latter member only in the fact that not only in the circumferential direction but also the slots 93 extend completely through the portransversely or radially of the thrust-receiving tion 9| and are not closed as are the slots by urface. This is desirable since it is the function the Babbitt lining of the member 14. This does qjgth otat= h not interfere materially with the supply of the radial a, V, I lubricant. However, to avoid the possible suckthe extra, pr

ngf-in of alruthrcugh the slots 93, they. may, if desirediibetdormed in -sucreazwaylasto rqvide therequire weakening vlziutqriot extend cpinpletee'xfilled tl'i v some softzmeta-l; such-tas older-r In- -Figs'.- 10,;::=111?nandc,.12 therei further modificatioiruon-the thrust .earingrnemhe prelri'ouslytideseribedigmemb 1-,, -lieii -o "the iintegral -necks; lo n-mg the emherlw-it rthenfiexiblm: sectional-portion I ember; .zaws'eries 210i pro ections; or, feet is provided are th;e:-='s;part,=-;9,9' M being iormed by-aser ies'srscsuopsnol, w the feet I00 bearaagainst thec-sidego t ering 98 d permittiieiflexingtof -theiseveral sections or lar portionsofisthe apart-1,99 gin: substaname' wa'y as do. the sneaks; oiethe flrstember, Theabearingwface o "dulateda'and slotted and thenportiohejflgiofaunelribe; ifdesired aii1t=.991.mayabe -,formed;.-,o br use or thefF-lik'e d be made-vsimilareto the part fil of 'the se'eon 'embodin'ientri r' painofepins lfl may eventrelative-turning;oflthesemarts.

and 99fto r 1 taih'ing platese loflcmay 9.15 e probe" 15rdv'ided in recesses :formedeinithe; parts 98 I vided to retain the two parts or the modified thrust member in proper relation to the housing.

These plates may be passed through openings-or notches III in an axially extendingfiange of the base member 28 and may extend into circumferential grooves in the adjacent feet III of the member. It will be apparent that the plates serve to retain both of the parts 22 and 22 in desired relation to the end bell of the housing andtoeach other. I I

InFigs. 22 b024, inclusive, there. is shown a further modification of the unit in which the oil is distributed over the surface of the thrust member inzalsomewhat different manner. In this modified-construction the journal hub Ill may be of the same construction as before, The inner, fiexiblebearing sleeve I whichsurrounds the journalhub. may also beof substantially the same form-as the sleeve I illustrated in 2. A thrust member I" is provided which. in .gen-

- eral, may be ofa constructlonslmilar to the development of adequate pressure to distribute the voil eflec'tively. in; the I manner explained. Should the oil level in the reservoir drop completely below the inner periphery of the thrust .member, but not below the minimum oil level of both the radial and thrust bearing surfaces is illustrated- The bearing in this modified constructionmay including an outer bearing sleeve previously described thrust members, formed either entirely of. a good bearlngmaterial, such as-bronze, or-formedof a steel base-and providedwlth a Babbitt metal lining, or the like, on its bearing surface. In the drawings it is illustrated'as being of: the ail bronze type.

' The -th'rust receiving. portion oit-the member III is provided with a series of slits I" extending radially from-the innerperiphery substan- III of the same character as the sleeve 41 of the first embodiment. The inner bearing sleeve IIl may also be substantially the same as the inner sleeve II of the first embodiment. However, in lieu of closing the outer sides of the cir- .cumferential grooves III, as by means of the inwardly projecting flanges 22 of Fig. 18, these grooves are'left open at their outer sides. Moreover, the openings 02 may be omitted entirely,

tially three'-quarters.of.the way across :thefaee of the member. 2 Seven. of these slits may appropriately-be provided, as illustrated in Fig. 22

Around each'slit a groove or depression Ill may be formed in the bearing face of the member for the admission of oil to the wedge-shaped pocket formed betweenthe adjacent section III of'the inner-bearing surface of the member and the side face of the Journal hub I". At the bottom of the thrust member there is provided, in lieu of if desired. The journal hub I2! i provided with a circumferentially extending groove "I is each of its side faces. Each groove III is preferably disposed at an angle to the axis of the journal hub so as to form a pocket for the reception of the lubricantwhich flows into the groove over the-edge I2Ia, which serves as a collector lip so long as the oil level is maintained above the minimum indicated in Fig. 26. The lubricant so collected, is discharged undera fairly substantial a slit Ill,a passage III which extends through I the thrust receiving portion of the member from its inner bearing'face to opening III between adiacent'fiexible' necks H2. The passage III is considerably wider than the slits, I but does not extend completely to the-inner,. peri-phery of the thrust member; a small section of; metal I I In (Fig. 23) remains. This relativelyjyvidepassage III provides for the free access,. 'ofthe lubricant T in the reservoir at the bottomoff'thejhouslns to the side of the journal hub. f

The bearing face-of the member III is grooved,

pressure, due to centrifugal action, through a series of radial passages I22, only one of which is indicated in Fig. 26. Any suitable number of;

I these passages may be provided. Three. spaced as indicated at Ill, completely around the same, I

the groove'forming a pocket or channel which is open toward the shaft and is closed on one side by the journal hub III-and on'its opposite side by a radially extendingv fiange'Ill formed by the grooving of the bearing member. In the region of the passage I II the groove Ill is enlarged, as indicated at III (Fig. 22), so as to encompass the entire passage.

The operation of this thrust bearing is as follows: As the hub rotates, its side face will pick up the 1ubricant,-which is preferalby maintained at the normal oil level indicated in Fig. 22, and

will carry it, due to viscous drag atlow speeds aided by'centrifugal action at high speeds, into and around the channel formed by groove Ill.

and from there it will be centrifugally forced radially outwardly into the. depressions or grooves I" from which it is supplied to the wedge-shaped pockets formed between the section'IIl of the thrust bearing surface of member I" and the side surface of the journal hub. The centrifugal force with which the oil is thrown insures the at 120 intervals, will be found quite satisfac tory. At their outer ends these passages I22, communicate with the groove I I2. g The outer side of each groove II! is aubstantiaily closed by the bearing face I22 of a thrust member I. At spaced intervals around the thrust member, preferably at each of the necks I220 (Fig. 27) which connects the bearing portion I22b of the thrust member with the base l2l c,there -is provided a radially extending passage I28. lor convenience in manufacture these passages may originally extend from the outer periphery of the thrust member to substantially,

but not quite. the inner periphery of this member. However, the outer ends of the passages are then closed by discs I28, which may be welded orv otherwise secured in place. A relatively thin wall I21 is left between the inner end of the passage I25 and the inner periphery of the thrust member. 80 also, a relatively thin wall I22 is left, intermediate the ends of each passage I25, between this passage and the bearing face of the member I 24. However, adjacent their outer and inner ends the passages I2I are placed in communication with the bearing face through openings I20 andIll, respectively. The openings I22 communicate with the groove H2 in the sleeve I II and thus admit oil from the latter into the passages I25, This oil is in turn forced outwardly through the openings Ill into a circumferential groove Illa and delivered from the latter through the radial depressions or oil grooves to the wedge-shaped pockets formed betweenthe surface I23 of the thrust member and the side face of the journal hub. The lubricant so delivered adjacent the Inner periphery of the I surface I23 isreadily spread over the entire surface by the centrifugal action of the journal hub.

A modification of the construction illustrated in Figs. 22 to 24 is shown in Figs. 28 to 30, inclusive. The radial bearing portions of the modified unit may be of substantially the same construction as illustrated in Fig. 2. It may include an outer bearing sleeve I3I, an inner flexible bearing sleeve I32 and a journal hub I33 secured to the shaft. Cooperating with the side of the journal hub and the side of the flexible sleeve I32 is a thrust member I34, preferably formed of bronze or other good bearing material. Like the thrust member of Figs. 22 to 24, the modified member comprises'a. base portion and l a thrust-receiving bearing portion connected by integral, flexible necks with the base portion. The bearing portion is provided with a series of slits I35 extending from the inner periphery substantially three-quarters of the distance across the bearing face. These slits are provided at equally spaced intervals, with the exception that in lieu of such a slit at the bottom of the member, a large, triangular opening I36 is provided through the thrust bearing portion of the member. At each of the slits I35 there is formed a depression I31 which extends to the outer periphery of the journal hub and there terminates in an abrupt shoulder. Beyond the end of the slit there is provided a smaller depression I38 which extends to the outer periphery of the thrust member. This allows a freer circulation of the oil across the bearing face and assists in cooling the thrust member, which is particularly desirable in high speed installations. An annular channel extending completely around the bearing face of the member I34 is formed by a circumferential groove I39, which is spaced a A slight distance from the inner periphery of the member. This leaves a rim I40 between the inner edge ofthe groove and the inner periphery of the member which serves to retain the oil within the channel more effectively than the groove II4 illustrated in Fig. 23. At the bottom of the bearing member the groove is expanded, as indicated at I, to encompass the opening I 35. In the operation of this thrust bearing the oil from the reservoir is brought against the side of the journal hub through the opening I36 and is carried by the rotating hub into the channel I39. From this channel the oil is distributed to the various wedge pockets through the grooves or depressions I31. Some of the excess oil passes through the depressions I38 to the outer periphery of the bearing member.

Mention has previously been made of the fact that the spherical surface I3 (Fig. 5) of the thrust member is preferably disposed at an angle of about to the axis of the member if the most favorable condition for self-alinerii-ent is desired. It has also been mentioned that in certain constructions it is best to sacrifice the most favorable self-alinement conditions in order to minimize certain distorting forces acting upon the thrust member Elaborating upon these points, it may be stated that if the thrust member is of bl-metallic construction, 'i. e.. primarily of steel but having a Babbitt metal lining over its bearing face, it is quite satisfactory to employ the 45 angle for the spherical surface 13. However, if the member is formed of a single metal of good bearing characteristics, such as bronze,

parted to the thrust member by the side of the journal hub at the particular cross-section indicated. This thrust force is met by a reaction force transmitted from the spherical seat of the housing to the spherical surface of the base ring.

The resultant reaction force at the particular section indicated is represented by the arrow I43. Now, in order to avoid distortion in the way of twisting or curling of the base ring portion of the thrust member, it has been found desirable to so construct the thrust member that'the point oi intersection I44 of the'resultant forces I42 and I43 falls at the center of area of the cross-section of the base ring. However, this has been found not to completely eliminate the curling or twisting effect upon the base ring due, apparently, to the fact that the force I43 has a'radial component which is resisted by a radialreaction force, the resultant of which is indicated by the arrow I45, set up as a stress in the base ring. If the forces remained in the relation shown there would be no objectionable twisting action imparted to the base ring. However, the effect of the radial component of the force I43 is'to compress and cause a slight contraction of the base ring. This contraction, in an exaggerated amount, is indicated in Fig. 31 by showing the compressed condition of the ring in broken lines at I46. It will be apparent that in shifting the spherical surface 13 of the ring radially inward, it will no longer have full-line contact (in cross-section) with the surface I2 but will tend to engage the latter surface only at the point indicated by the arrow I41. This, of course, sets up a twisting or curling action upon the base ring which tends to swing its surface 13 into full contact with the surface 12. Atflthe same'time this twisting action brings about a concentration of pressure at the inner periphery of the surface 13 of the thrust member.

When the thrust member is formed largely of steel, which has a relatively high modulus of elasticity, the contraction of the base ring and the tendency to twist it is not sufflcientlygreat to cause any serious trouble. Moreover, the provision of the'slits (Fig. 4), and similar slits in the other forms of thrust member, tends to so increase the flexibility of the inner portion of the thrust receiving part of the member as to minimize the effect of the above indicated concentration of pressure. However, when the thrust member is formed of bronze or similar material, having a considerably lower modulus of elasticity, the tendency of the forces to twist the base ring is more serious and it therefore becomes desirable to adopt some expedient to offset this tendency.

In Fig. 32 there is illustrated one scheme which might be employed to minimize the twisting or curling action upon the base ring. The construction here is such that the spherical surface of the thrust member, indicated in cross-section by the line I48, normally diverges from the spherical surface of the housing, indicated in cross-section by the line I49, from a point adja- This will be understood more clearly from cent the outer periphery of the base Under no-load' or light-load conditions, therefore,

contact betweenthese surfaces is made only at will be brought into full contact without twisting of the base ring. Thus,'under no-load conditions and under, heavy-load conditions the thrust receiving surface of the member, which may beconsidered'parallel with the surface I52,

' will .be maintained in substantial parallelism withthe sidefface of the journal hub. However,

for loads intermediate no-load and heavy load, a

certainarnount of twisting of the base ring to bring the'ilines I" and, II! intofiull contact will 1 be re'quired and, this will produce a concentra tion of pressure adjacent 'thdoutergperiphery of the thrust receiving surfaceof' the member. This arrangement,,f therefore, only partially corrects only-wide enough to take the load without subjecting the material to a compressive stress that would result in crushing the material. The concentration of pressure at the inner periphery of the bearing portion of the member, which results from the contraction of the base ring in this construction, manifesting itself in the twisting or I curling of the base ring, is readily taken care of by the increased flexibility provided by the slitting of the thrust receiving portion of the mem- .ber.

the, dimcultyfand the disadvantage of requiring .great'precision in the formation of the spherical surfaces thus increasing the expense of the ,construction.

In Fig. 33 there is shown a more practical expedient for reducing the twisting-or curling effect upon the base ring. This involves a reduction in the radial comp'onentlof the reaction force by increasingthe angle between the spherical .surface and the axis of the member. Thus, the I spherical surface I" of the base ring is, in this case, disposed at an angle'of about 60 to the axis In connection with'all of the constructions discussed; it is desirable to so dispose the flexible necks connecting the base ring with the thrust bearing portion of the member that the resultant thrust force, at any cross-section passing through the neck, will pass through the mean radial center line of-the neck. This tends to avoid tilting of the thrust receiving portion of the member in a radial direction with respect to the base ring, which would result in the undue concentrationof pressure'at one of theedges.

Ordinarily, two or more bearings will be provided for the support of a rotating shaft. In

" utilizing bearings constructed in accordance with the present invention, it will usually be found desirable to provide one of the bearings with both the radial and t-he'thrust bearing features which have been disclosed. The second bearing need.

however, have only the radial bearing provisions of the member sothat the radial component of the position indicated by the broken lines I55,

its surface I53 will assume the broken line position indicated at I 56, if w'eignore the tendencyv of the ring to twist. .It will be seen that the amount of twisting of the ring to bringthe line I" into full engagement with the. seat is conthe reactionforce I, imparted by the spherical t,

siderably less than in Figure 31, due not only to the smaller radial component of the reaction,

force but also to the smaller divergence between the curved surfaces when shifted relativev to each other. v

. It has been found desirable in the construction of bearings provided with bronze thrust mema relatively narrow, raised band, as indicated at I51 in Fig. 34. This spherical .surfaceis preferably inclined at an angle of about to the axis and it is preferably so constructed. Thi provides a desired freedom of expansion or contracof the shaft be considerable, the journal hub for the unit'having merely the radial bearing may be made somewhat longer or wider.

To assist in the'accurate location of the bear ings in a machine, a cross I45 is preferably provided on the top, or at some other exposed point, of the housing, the intersection of the arms of the cross being accurately located directly above or opposite the-axis of the journal and midway between the sides of the journal hub or of the outer bearing sleeve. If the correct distance between-the center lines of the two journal hubs carried by ashaft to be supported is known, it is a relatively simple matter to first'correctly posithe other bearing housing so that the intersection of the arms of its cross' will fall precisely at the of the member and it is'so arranged thatthe resultant reaction force, indicated by the arrow through the center of area l6l of the particular cross section of the base ring under consideration. Under light-load conditions, therefore, the forces I58 and I59, together with the radialstress force I62 set up in the ring, will so interact as notto impart any twisting moment to the base ring. When heavier loads are'encountered, the base ring will,-oi course, tend to contract, as previously explained, and the reaction force from the housing will be imparted along the line indicated by the arrow I63. This will impart a slight turning moment or twist to the base ring but due to the small displacement of the force Journal hubs.

distance from the intersection of the arms of the.

cross on the first housing as that desired to be maintained between the center lines of the two While a bearing unit embodying the invention and various modifications of certain features of the invention have-been described in considerable detail, it will be understood that numerous other modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the general principles and scope of the invention. The terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation.

What I claim is: l. A bearing comprising a journal element having a cylindrical outer surface, a bearing member 

